Mortgage rates in Georgia
30-yr fixed 7.18% · Freddie Mac PMMS, week of Nov 5, 2026 · APR benchmark 7.19% (APOR for locks from Nov 9, 2026) · Last reviewed Oct 18, 2026 by the Editorial Team
Metro Atlanta anchors one of the South’s largest and fastest-growing housing markets.
Mortgage rates today by loan type
These are national averages. Lenders in Georgia price off the same national market, so treat them as a benchmark: your quote depends on your credit, down payment, loan size and points. The APR benchmark folds in typical points and fees, so it shows what a prime borrower's APR looks like this week.
| Loan type | Avg rate | APR benchmarkAPOR | Source · as of | What it measures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30-year fixed | 7.18% | 7.19% | Freddie Mac PMMSNov 5, 2026 | Conventional purchase loans, 20% down, strong credit; weekly survey |
| 20-year fixed | 6.66% | 6.93% | Zillow (via NerdWallet)Nov 6, 2026 | Lender-quoted average; checked by hand every two weeks |
| 15-year fixed | 6.57% | 6.67% | Freddie Mac PMMSNov 5, 2026 | Conventional purchase loans, 20% down, strong credit; weekly survey |
| 10-year fixed | 6.31% | 6.82% | Zillow (via NerdWallet)Nov 6, 2026 | Lender-quoted average; checked by hand every two weeks |
| 5-year ARM | 6.73% | 6.67% | Zillow (via NerdWallet)Nov 6, 2026 | Fixed for 5 years, then adjusts; APOR = prime ARM benchmark |
| 7-year ARM | — | 6.50% | APOR, locks from Nov 9, 2026 | No free rate series; APOR benchmark only |
| 10-year ARM | — | 6.63% | APOR, locks from Nov 9, 2026 | No free rate series; APOR benchmark only |
| FHA 30-year | 6.89% | — | Optimal Blue OBMMINov 5, 2026 | Locked FHA loans, all credit profiles; daily |
| VA 30-year | 6.71% | — | Optimal Blue OBMMINov 5, 2026 | Locked VA loans; daily |
| USDA 30-year | 6.86% | — | Optimal Blue OBMMINov 5, 2026 | Locked USDA loans; daily |
| Jumbo 30-year | 7.25% | — | Optimal Blue OBMMINov 5, 2026 | Locked loans above the conforming limit; daily |
APR benchmark = FFIEC/CFPB Average Prime Offer Rate for rate locks in the week starting Nov 9, 2026 (published in advance): a prime borrower's APR including typical points and fees. It is not a quote; your APR depends on credit, down payment and the points you pay. APOR is not published for FHA, VA, USDA or jumbo loans.
Calculate your Georgia mortgage payment
The calculator starts from Georgia's median list price, 20% down, the state's 0.81% effective property tax, its median insurance premium and its average closing costs. Switch to FHA or VA, change the down payment, or pick your county to set its conforming limit. For the month-by-month split of principal and interest, open the principal-and-interest schedule. To see how Georgia's property tax and insurance compare with every other state, try the calculator with state tax and insurance.
Georgia vs. the U.S.
Georgia's median list price is 7% below the U.S. median, so at the same 7.18% rate the principal and interest on a 20%-down loan runs $152 a month less. Five-year price growth here was the 13th-fastest of 51 jurisdictions.
| Measure | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Median list priceRealtor.com, Oct 2026 | $386,990 | $415,000 |
| Principal + interest, 20% down30-yr avg 7.18% | $2,097 | $2,249 |
| Average home-purchase loanHMDA 2025 | $371,002 | $404,828 |
| Average closing costsincl. transfer taxes | $5,106 | $4,661 |
| Median conventional rate paid2025 purchase loans | 6.50% | 6.50% |
| Mortgage approval rateHMDA 2025 | 73.8% | 76.6% |
| Home values, 1 yearFHFA index, Q2 2026 | +1.9% | +3.0% |
| Home values, 5 yearsFHFA index, Q2 2026 | +47.6% | +41.3% |
What Georgia borrowers actually paid in 2025
This is the state-specific part. Federal HMDA records show the rate and costs on every Georgia home-purchase loan closed in 2025. We compare like with like: 30-year fixed, first-lien, one-unit primary homes. On conventional loans, Georgia borrowers paid 0.02 percentage points above the market benchmark at lock, the 26th-highest of all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
| 2025 purchase loans | Median rateGA · U.S. | Over benchmarkGA · U.S. | Closing costsGA · U.S. | Paid pointsshare of loans | Median downequity on refis · GA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conventional 30-yr fixed (conforming, 20%+ down)21,893 loans | 6.50%6.50% | +0.02+0.02 | $6,102$5,476 | 60.5%53.2% | 25% |
| Jumbo 30-yr fixed (20%+ down)1,090 loans | 6.50%6.63% | +0.01+0.00 | $11,081$10,251 | 42.4%38.4% | 20% |
| FHA 30-yr fixed25,365 loans | 6.13%6.25% | +0.38+0.42 | $11,918$11,291 | 63.0%59.3% | 3.5% |
| VA 30-yr fixed14,394 loans | 6.24%6.13% | −0.33−0.36 | $6,354$6,554 | 59.8%59.3% | 0% |
| Conventional rate-and-term refinance4,235 loans | 6.38%6.38% | −0.05−0.06 | $5,696$4,390 | 54.3%45.4% | 32.8% |
Source: 2025 HMDA loan-level records (FFIEC/CFPB), medians. "Over benchmark" = rate spread, the APR minus APOR on the lock date, which removes the effect of when each loan locked. Closing costs = total loan costs on the Closing Disclosure. HMDA has no credit scores, so these are what borrowers paid, not what you will be offered. See the lenders active in Georgia and what their borrowers paid.
Georgia's biggest conventional lenders: what their borrowers paid
The 8 largest conventional lenders in Georgia by 2025 purchase loans, out of 909 that made one. Each row is the median for that lender's comparable loans here: 30-year fixed, conforming, 20% or more down. A lower figure over the benchmark means cheaper pricing for the same week.
| Lender | 2025 loansshare in GA | Median rate | Over benchmark | Originationmedian | Paid pointsshare · median | Median down |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Wholesale Mortgage | 5,7547.6% | 6.50% | −0.01 | $4,055 | 55%$2,109 | 23% |
| Rocket Mortgage | 4,4395.9% | 6.50% | −0.03 | $3,600 | 67%$2,894 | 24% |
| Ameris Bank | 2,6973.6% | 6.50% | −0.02 | $2,947 | 60%$2,547 | 25% |
| Fairway Independent Mortgage | 1,8912.5% | 6.75% | +0.18 | $3,307 | 77%$2,598 | 25% |
| Truist | 1,4751.9% | 6.49% | −0.17 | $1,610 | 51%$1,293 | 25% |
| CrossCountry Mortgage | 1,4141.9% | 6.83% | +0.27 | $4,221 | 80%$3,197 | 25% |
| Chase | 1,2211.6% | 6.38% | −0.21 | $1,590 | 72%$2,443 | 22% |
| Vanderbilt Mortgage And Finance, Inc. | 1,1311.5% | 6.50% | −0.02 | $2,050 | 69%$2,309 | 22.6% |
Source: 2025 HMDA loan-level records (FFIEC/CFPB), lenders with at least 30 comparable loans in Georgia. Minimum credit scores are not shown here: conventional loans usually start at 620 (a lender floor; Fannie Mae's automated underwriting sets none), FHA 580 (500 with 10% down), VA none set by VA (lenders often 620). HMDA has no credit scores, so a lender's medians reflect its own mix of borrowers. FHA and VA lenders: Georgia lender rankings.
How rates have moved
Weekly national averages over the past 30 days to 5 years. The 30- and 15-year lines are Freddie Mac average rates; the ARM lines are the APOR APR benchmark, because no free weekly ARM rate series exists.
- Now
- 7.18%
- Nov 5, 2026
- 1 week ago
- 7.24%
- −0.06 pts
- 1 month ago
- 7.40%
- −0.22 pts
- 1 year ago
- 6.22%
- +0.96 pts
30-year fixed: Freddie Mac PMMS (rate), weekly. National series.
What a mortgage costs in Georgia
On a home at Georgia's median list price of $386,990 with 20% down, the balance comes to $309,592, or about $2,097 a month in principal and interest at the 7.18% 30-year average.
What makes Georgia different is the cost around the loan. Its 0.81% effective property-tax rate adds roughly $261 a month, and homeowners insurance — at the state's median 0.45% of home value — about $145 more, bringing the all-in estimate to $2,504. That figure is principal and interest at the 30-year average, property tax and insurance; at 20% down a conventional loan has no PMI, and HOA dues or local special assessments are not included. Your own price and down payment will move the number — work backward from your income with the what-you-can-afford calculator.
Payment at the $386,990 median list price by down payment and loan type
| Loan | Rate | Monthlyall-in | Mortgage ins. | Cash to close | Income needed28% rule · yearly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conventional, 20% downNo PMI | 7.18%Freddie Mac 30-yr avg | $2,504P&I $2,097 | — | $82,504 | $107,000 |
| Conventional, 10% downPMI est. 0.7%/yr | 7.18%Freddie Mac 30-yr avg | $2,969P&I $2,359 | $203 | $43,805 | $127,000 |
| Conventional, 5% downPMI est. 0.7%/yr | 7.18%Freddie Mac 30-yr avg | $3,112P&I $2,491 | $214 | $24,456 | $133,000 |
| Conventional, 3% downPMI est. 0.7%/yr | 7.18%Freddie Mac 30-yr avg | $3,169P&I $2,543 | $219 | $16,716 | $136,000 |
| FHA, 3.5% down1.75% upfront MIP financed + annual MIP | 6.89%OBMMI FHA avg | $3,078P&I $2,500 | $171 | $18,651 | $132,000 |
| VA, 0% down2.15% funding fee financed; no monthly MI | 6.71%OBMMI VA avg | $2,960P&I $2,553 | — | $5,106 | $127,000 |
Monthly = principal and interest + property tax (0.81% effective) + homeowners insurance (about $145/mo — Georgia's median premium, 0.45% of home value) + mortgage insurance. HOA dues and local special assessments are not included. Cash to close = down payment + Georgia's average closing costs ($5,106). PMI is an illustrative 0.7% a year; FHA and VA figures use HUD's MIP schedule and VA's first-use funding fee. Income needed = the gross yearly income at which the monthly figure is 28% of pay, the classic housing-cost guideline. Lenders also limit your total monthly debts as a share of income, so car, student-loan and card payments raise the income you need.
Prices, loan limits and payments in Georgia's biggest counties
Home prices, and so the loan you need, vary more inside Georgia than rates do. The table covers the largest county markets. Pick a row to load it into the calculator above.
| County | Median list priceSep 2026 · yr/yr | Avg purchase loanHMDA 2025 | Conforming limitmax price at 20% down | At 20% down | Est. paymentP&I + tax + ins. | Calculator |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fulton County6,109 homes for sale · Sep 2026 | $389,9230% | $517,27012,446 loans | $832,750$1,040,937 | Conforming$311,938 loan | $2,523at 7.18% | |
| Gwinnett County3,833 homes for sale · Sep 2026 | $449,945-0.2% | $418,33310,579 loans | $832,750$1,040,937 | Conforming$359,956 loan | $2,911at 7.18% | |
| Dekalb County3,136 homes for sale · Sep 2026 | $329,500+7.2% | $442,4147,951 loans | $832,750$1,040,937 | Conforming$263,600 loan | $2,132at 7.18% | |
| Cobb County2,936 homes for sale · Sep 2026 | $449,450-0.1% | $456,8498,794 loans | $832,750$1,040,937 | Conforming$359,560 loan | $2,908at 7.18% | |
| Chatham County1,780 homes for sale · Sep 2026 | $395,625-4.3% | $415,1654,130 loans | $832,750$1,040,937 | Conforming$316,500 loan | $2,560at 7.18% | |
| Cherokee County1,385 homes for sale · Sep 2026 | $548,745-3.7% | $443,0053,994 loans | $832,750$1,040,937 | Conforming$438,996 loan | $3,551at 7.18% | |
| Henry County1,348 homes for sale · Sep 2026 | $372,250+1.4% | $336,3273,798 loans | $832,750$1,040,937 | Conforming$297,800 loan | $2,409at 7.18% | |
| Forsyth County1,342 homes for sale · Sep 2026 | $665,950-1% | $544,7403,613 loans | $832,750$1,040,937 | Conforming$532,760 loan | $4,309at 7.18% | |
| Hall County1,176 homes for sale · Sep 2026 | $489,900+2.4% | $403,9842,647 loans | $832,750$1,040,937 | Conforming$391,920 loan | $3,170at 7.18% | |
| Paulding County997 homes for sale · Sep 2026 | $382,500-1.9% | $348,2002,866 loans | $832,750$1,040,937 | Conforming$306,000 loan | $2,475at 7.18% | |
| Clayton County965 homes for sale · Sep 2026 | $249,962-2.9% | $282,6372,526 loans | $832,750$1,040,937 | Conforming$199,970 loan | $1,617at 7.18% | |
| Columbia County826 homes for sale · Sep 2026 | $374,900-2.6% | $343,9412,569 loans | $832,750$1,040,937 | Conforming$299,920 loan | $2,426at 7.18% |
Sources: Realtor.com county research data (median listing price, Sep 2026); FHFA 2026 one-unit conforming limits; 2025 HMDA home-purchase originations (average loan, all loan types). Payments use the 30-year average (7.18%, or the jumbo average 7.25% above the limit), Georgia's 0.81% effective property tax and its median insurance premium (0.45% of value), both from Census ACS 2024 data; county tax rates differ. Max price at 20% down = the county limit ÷ 0.8, the highest price at which a 20%-down loan stays conforming. Homes for sale = active Realtor.com listings in the month, excluding pending sales.
What's different about buying a home in Georgia
Rates are national, but the rules around the loan are not. These Georgia specifics can change your payment, your closing or your protections as a borrower.
Only Georgia attorneys may conduct real estate closings
In Georgia, only a licensed Georgia attorney may close a real estate transaction or prepare and facilitate the signing of its deed, and the state Supreme Court has rejected witness-only notary closings. A buyer's closing therefore generally runs through a Georgia attorney's office, not only a title or escrow company.
Source: gabar.orgFloating homestead exemption caps assessment increases
Georgia's HB 581 floating homestead exemption limits annual assessment increases on a homesteaded property to the rate of inflation, but the base value resets when the home is sold. Local governments could opt out in 2025, so confirm with the county assessor how the cap applies to a specific home.
Source: legis.ga.govGeorgia homestead exemptions are not automatic
Georgia homestead exemptions must be applied for. In Fulton County, for example, the owner must occupy the home as of January 1 and apply by April 1, and a new owner named on the deed must apply again. Don't assume the seller's homestead tax savings carry over to your bill.
Source: fultoncountyga.govGeorgia foreclosures are non-judicial, with 30 days' notice
Georgia is a non-judicial foreclosure state: a lender can sell a defaulted home at a county courthouse auction, generally on the first Tuesday of a month, without going to court. The lender must send the borrower written notice at least 30 days before the sale, naming someone with authority to modify the loan.
Source: law.georgia.govChecked against official sources on October 18, 2026. Laws and programs change; confirm details with the agency named or a local real estate attorney.
How Georgia buyers finance their homes
VA loans are where Georgia stands out: they made up 11.9% of home loans originated here in 2025, against 8.2% nationally — the 10th-highest VA share of any state. Lenders, agents and appraisers here handle VA deals routinely, which helps if that is the loan you need.
| Loan type | Share in GA | U.S. share | Approval in GA | Avg loan in GA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conventional | 69.0% | 78.0% | 72.5% | $330,499 |
| FHA | 18.6% | 13.2% | 74.4% | $304,081 |
| VA | 11.9% | 8.2% | 80.4% | $356,732 |
| USDA | 0.5% | 0.6% | 87.6% | $237,961 |
The average Georgia home loan in 2025 was $328,250 — 7% below the U.S. average of $352,861, the 22nd-largest of 51 jurisdictions. Home purchases accounted for 63.3% of those loans (U.S. 64.2%); cash-out refinances for 18.9% (U.S. 17.1%).
Source: 2025 HMDA originations, FFIEC/CFPB. Approval = originated ÷ (originated + denied).
Georgia loan limits for 2026
All 159 of Georgia's counties use the 2026 baseline conforming limit of $832,750 for a one-unit home. Any loan above that is a jumbo loan here, which usually means a larger down payment and cash reserves. See the full national grid in our conforming vs. jumbo cutoffs.
County limits: FHFA 2026 conforming loan limit list (one-unit properties; two- to four-unit limits are higher).
Cash you'll need to close in Georgia
Average closing costs in Georgia are about $5,106 including transfer taxes (No. 15 of 51, highest first). On a home at the median list price of $386,990:
| 20% down | 3% down | |
|---|---|---|
| Down payment | $77,398 | $11,610 |
| Average closing costs | $5,106 | $5,106 |
| Cash to close (estimate) | $82,504 | $16,716 |
Prepaid taxes and insurance are extra. Closing-cost averages by state (source: Bankrate).
Transfer taxes and recording rules in Georgia
Georgia's transfer tax is $1 per $1,000 of the price (0.1%); the seller is legally liable, though contracts often shift it to the buyer. Borrowers also pay an intangible recording tax of $1.50 per $500 of the loan (0.3%, capped at $25,000) — about $900 on a $300,000 mortgage. Source: dor.georgia.gov
Getting approved in Georgia
Federal HMDA lending records show Georgia lenders originated 242,931 home loans in 2025 and denied 86,323 applications — an approval rate near 73.8% among decisioned applications, against 76.6% nationwide. See how all 50 states compare in our approval-rate rankings, and how Georgia ranks for mortgage complaint analysis (23,481 on record).
Shopping for a loan? See the most active mortgage lenders in Georgia, ranked by federal HMDA volume.
Down-payment help in Georgia
You rarely need 20% down. These are the main programs from Georgia DCA, Georgia's housing finance agency; they are offered through participating lenders, usually alongside the agency's own first mortgage.
Georgia Dream
A 0% second mortgage with no monthly payment for the down payment and closing costs — up to $10,000 for most buyers, and up to $12,500 under the PEN tier (public protectors, educators, health-care workers and active military) or the CHOICE tier (households with a family member living with a disability). Repaid on sale, refinance or move-out; requires $1,000 of your own money and homebuyer counseling.
Source: dca.ga.govPeach Select Veterans Assistance
A Georgia Dream variant of down-payment assistance for eligible veterans.
Source: dca.ga.govChecked against official sources on October 9, 2026. Assistance amounts, income limits and funding change during the year — confirm current terms with Georgia DCA or a participating lender.
No state mortgage credit certificate in Georgia
The Georgia Dream programs (Georgia Dream, Peach Plus, Peach Select Veterans) include no MCC. Every state’s MCC status, with sources.
Check current terms at Georgia DCA, see how a smaller down payment changes your number with the down-payment need calculator, or compare all state assistance programs.
How these numbers are measured
- Freddie Mac PMMS (30- and 15-year): a weekly average of rates offered to borrowers with 20% down and strong credit, published Thursdays; latest week Nov 5, 2026. Points are not reported.
- Optimal Blue OBMMI (FHA, VA, USDA, jumbo): daily averages of rates actually locked, across credit profiles. Points vary by loan.
- APOR (APR benchmark): FFIEC/CFPB's weekly Average Prime Offer Rate, an APR that includes typical points and fees for a prime borrower. Regulators use it to flag higher-priced loans.
- HMDA 2025 (Georgia vs U.S.): rates, costs, points and down payments on loans that actually closed, reported by lenders to federal regulators. Updated once a year.
- Census ACS 2024 (property tax and insurance): what homeowners with a mortgage in Georgia reported paying — the median real-estate tax divided by the median home value, and the median insurance premium as a share of value. Updated once a year.
- Interest rate vs APR: the rate sets your payment; the APR adds points and lender fees spread over the loan. Compare APRs on Loan Estimates for the same day and loan type.
Rates and APOR refresh every week; HMDA, loan limits and closing-cost averages refresh when their publishers release new data. Reviewed by our standards team. Full sources and formulas: methodology notes.
Georgia mortgage FAQ
What is a good mortgage rate in Georgia right now?
A 30-year fixed close to the national average of 7.18% (Freddie Mac, week of Nov 5, 2026) is a fair benchmark for a borrower with strong credit and 20% down. In 2025, Georgia's conventional buyers paid a median 6.50%.
Quotes well above that usually reflect lower credit, a small down payment or lender credits taken in exchange for a higher rate.
Are mortgage rates higher in Georgia than in other states?
No, about the same as nationally. In 2025 HMDA records, Georgia's median conventional 30-year rate was 6.50%, against 6.50% nationally.
Against the benchmark for each loan's lock week, which counts points and fees, Georgia loans priced 0.02 percentage points above it (the 26th-highest of all 50 states and the District of Columbia), against 0.02 above nationally.
Rates are set mainly in one national market, so your credit, down payment and loan size matter more.
What are current jumbo mortgage rates in Georgia?
The national jumbo 30-year average is 7.25% (Optimal Blue). In 2025, Georgia's jumbo buyers paid a median 6.50%. A loan is jumbo above the $832,750 conforming limit, which applies in every Georgia county.
Jumbo lenders typically want 10–20% down, a 700+ credit score and 6–12 months of reserves.
Should I choose a 15-year or 30-year mortgage?
On a $309,592 loan (20% down on Georgia's median list price), a 30-year at 7.18% costs $2,097 a month and a 15-year at 6.57% costs $2,709.
The 15-year saves about $267,437 in interest but needs $612 more a month, so it fits only if that payment is comfortable.
How much does a 1% difference in mortgage rates change my monthly payment?
On a $309,592 loan (20% down on Georgia's median list price), moving from 7.18% to 8.18% raises the principal-and-interest payment from $2,097 to $2,311, or $213 a month.
Over 30 years that is about $76,809 more in interest, which is why comparing several lenders on the same day matters.
Are mortgage rates different for purchase and refinance loans?
Yes, slightly. In 2025, Georgia's conventional rate-and-term refinances closed at a median 6.38% and purchases at 6.50%, partly because refinances bunch up when rates dip. Refinances priced 0.05 percentage points below the market benchmark; cash-out refinances usually cost more. Your own pricing depends on credit, loan-to-value and points.
How much is a $400,000 mortgage at 7.18% interest?
About $2,710 a month in principal and interest over 30 years. In Georgia, a $500,000 home with that loan adds roughly $338 a month in property tax at the 0.81% effective rate, plus homeowners insurance. Over 30 years the loan costs about $575,506 in interest.
How much income do I need to buy a home in Georgia?
About $107,000 a year for a home at the $386,990 median list price with 20% down, if the full $2,504 monthly payment, including tax and insurance, stays within 28% of gross income.
Smaller down payments add mortgage insurance and raise that figure; existing debts lower what lenders approve.
What down payment assistance is available in Georgia?
Georgia DCA, the state housing finance agency, runs Georgia Dream and Peach Select Veterans Assistance, offered through participating lenders. Help usually comes as a grant or a deferred or forgivable second loan paired with the agency's first mortgage.
Amounts, income limits and funding change during the year, so confirm current terms with Georgia DCA or a participating lender before you apply.
- Freddie Mac — Primary Mortgage Market Survey
- FFIEC / CFPB — Average Prime Offer Rates (APOR)
- FFIEC / CFPB — HMDA data browser (2025 loan-level records)
- Optimal Blue OBMMI via FRED (FHA, VA, USDA, jumbo)
- FHFA — 2026 conforming loan limits by county
- U.S. Census Bureau — 2024 American Community Survey microdata (property tax and homeowners insurance)
- HUD — Handbook 4000.1 (FHA mortgage insurance)
Rates shown are national weekly averages for general guidance, not an offer or personalized quote. Payment estimates assume the down payment noted plus estimated taxes and insurance. Confirm current pricing with a licensed lender.